Discussions

To the cyclists that partake in what I think is a Business sponsored bicycle circuit around Brandon: it is not acceptable, especially when representing other cyclists, to blatantly disobey the rules of the road.  
 
For my example, I will use the group of cyclists travelling South on 1st Street South of Richmond. Not only were many cyclists traveling side by side on a single lane roadway for the majority of the duration I was behind you. Not one person came to a complete stop at the three way stop near Crocus Plains.  
 
If you expect the perception of the public to change regarding cyclists in Brandon, you should be a leading example for motorists and the public. You should be "What good looks like on a bike” To be a major group of cyclists that are starting from a local bike shop it is just absurd that you would bike and consistently break the rules of the road.  
This is not a thread to jump on the cycling community within Brandon. It is specifically directed at the particular cycling group mentioned above. I would post the name of the business where the ride starts but I fear it will get my thread removed.

You should contact the business. Maybe they will not want to be associated with that in the future.  
 
But for what it's worth, 95% of cars don't come to a complete stop at stop signs either.

Were they on the gravel south of Richmond when you were behind them? 1st street is two lanes from Richmond to Patricia. You likely could have passed them anywhere along that stretch.

Well, you must have magic vision to be behind 40+ cyclists and to notice that no one stopped at the 3-way. It was my first time out cycling EVER on a ride bike and I can tell you that I did stop there as well as the people directly in front of me. Since you are admitting to directing this to a particular cycling group that leaves from a local bike shop I think this thread should not be allowed.

"it is just absurd that you would bike and consistently break the rules of the road."  
Don't you or any other drivers ever break the rules in driving once in a while?

I'm not lying, I did see the majority not stop at the stop sign. I saw it because I was directly behind in a vehicle. I wouldn't have seen them if everyone had stopped but because they all rolled through the intersection as a group a rode to the door of Crocus Plains I know I am very correct.  
 
Second, I do not roll through a four way stop or any stop sign. I have never had a ticket under my full liciense nor have I had any accidents. Following the rules of the road are easy it only take discipline.  
 
Also a block south of Richmond south of the Spray Park is where I caught up to the group. It is a single lane roadway in the Southern direction. The shoulder is not any part of the roadway. Cyclists shouldn't be riding there the same as a car should not be driving there. I cannot cross the middle line to the northbound lane to pass 40 cyclists safely, so I didn't hence watching the vast majority roll through the stop sign.  
 
Everyone has the right to question my integrity but I'll ask why would I post on ebrandon only to slander a particular group of cyclists? Well it doesn't make sense. I saw something was displeased as it gave cyclists a bad image.

First off, bikes can ride on the road, as close its safe to the shoulder in absence of a pave shoulders. While we''re at it, gravel can very easily puncture a tire and / or its tube in case you are not aware of it.  
 
Secondarily: I was part of that group. The vast majority did in fact made a complete stop at the 3 way stop. Yes, all people should make a complete stop but again, the majority did in fact make a complete stop.  
 
Enjoy the great season of being outdoors and get some exercise. Did you enjoy the extra 30 seconds it took to get your destination (aka. like it is going through a school zone)?  
 
Edited by unbreakable1, 2016-05-04 18:42:07

unbreakable1 said "First off, bikes can ride on the road, as close its safe to the shoulder in absence of a pave shoulders. While we''re at it, gravel can very easily puncture a tire and / or its tube in case you are not aware of it.     Secondarily: I was part of that group. The vast majority did in fact made a complete stop at the 3 way stop. Yes, all people should make a complete stop but again, the majority did in fact make a complete stop.     Enjoy the great season of being outdoors and get some exercise. Did you enjoy the extra 30 seconds it took to get your destination (aka. like it is going through a school zone)?     Edited by unbreakable1, 2016-05-04 18:42:07"

I was concerned about breaking the law... And safety of the riders on the tour.  
 
I was going in my car to volunteer my time for a local sports club as a coach. I apologize that I was concerned with the law and safety.  
 
Thank goodness we have nice kind cyclists... So they don't get painted with the wrong brush all the time.

Next time the cyclists will have to ride single file, and ride in the middle of the lane as we are entitled to ride there, give 15 feet between each rider, have every rider stop and put there feet down and then continue.....how long will you wait then.

Good attitude, be confrontational that will work well to further your group.  
 
That beings said cyclists are to be treated like any other vehicle on the road which means they get to ride in the lane and must be afforded the same courtesies as a car. They must also follow the rules of the road the same as a car

Again I was never concerned about the time it takes. Let's be safe out there and follow the rules of the road !

It seems there is no winning other than just staying off anything but very quiet side-streets. As an occasional urban cyclist I'll admit I've waffled between following the rules of the road to the letter and being the stereotypical "bad cyclist", but it doesn't seem to matter based on my experience.  
 
Following the rules of the road to the letter and without reason beyond my simple presence on the road, I've been honked at, yelled/sworn at/threatened, flipped-off, and sped past aggressively and unsafely even doing the best to allow others to pass and while maintaining a decent speed. On the other side, and when taking a more lax approach to the rules, I've gotten similar disdain from drivers as well.  
 
Following the rules would one think would at least give motorists the benefit of supposed predictability and consistency in cyclists actions. However, I have found that this is offset by those motorists that act unpredictably when they see a cyclist. Many trips out and while following the rules I've had drivers act highly erratically upon seeing me. Stopping in the middle of the road, failing to recognize the right of way rules, and generally causing more chances for mayhem and accidents than anything else.

Don't get so hung up on cyclists as the only ones who don't follow the rules of the road. I have never seen a motorist who follows all rules, either.